Building a Community of Readers: The Power of Book Clubs in Middle School
Building a Community of Readers:
The Power of Book Clubs in Middle School
As a former special ed teacher, reading tutor, creative writing tutor, and a children’s book author, I tend to get the same questions from educators, librarians, and parents of young readers regularly, and I love it.
These questions all tend to revolve around how to encourage kids to find joy in reading. I totally get it! In a world with shorter attention spans and many ways to pass time, I notice that adults worry about ensuring children understand the importance of reading and make it a part of their lives. We need to make reading meaningful to young people. If we want to foster a love of books in our classrooms and libraries, we need to put the emphasis on their experiences and their ability to connect to books.
Book clubs are one avenue I always recommend educators explore with their middle schoolers. Book clubs build community, empower readers, and offer a peer driven approach to reading comprehension and building connection.
Book clubs are so valuable because they can reach young readers in a way teachers or librarians or parents can’t. In connecting to themes and discussing them with each other, kids experience books differently.
So, if you’re feeling that spark of curiosity and have your own questions about introducing or reinvigorating middle school book clubs to your group of readers, I’m going to share with you some of the book club-centric questions that frequent my inbox. I think that in reading the answers to these common questions, you’ll gain clarity on how a book club might work for your readers.
Why are Book Clubs Important for Middle Schoolers?
Middle school is a wild time for kids. Think about it: they’re entering a very confusing period emotionally, socially, and developmentally. It’s natural for them to struggle to maintain focus on a book they’ve been forced to read when so many more immediate concerns, emotions, and anxieties are floating through their minds.
Book clubs, on the other hand, are student driven. They offer kids the opportunity to lead discussions about the aspects of a book they’re interested in. As teachers shift into facilitation instead of direct instruction, the student-to-student dynamic shifts, too. Peers begin to share their thoughts: their reaction to a protagonist’s gutsy decision, or their anger at an antagonist’s choices. Students spark a conversation about what resonated with them in a specific chapter. These peer-led group conversations can bring characters and situations to life for kids, who are empowered to express their opinions, and given the opportunity to practice listening to others.
Strong book clubs provide an outlet for kids to have conversations about books in a different way, one that allows them to share their own experiences and feelings with one another. They promote a sense of belonging, as well as a deeper appreciation for books and improved critical thinking skills. To discuss your own feelings about and connection to a book, a reader has to analyze a book’s major events, character development, themes, etc. to be an active member of a group discussion.
Discussion Topics and Activities for Book Club Meetings
Let's explore some discussion topics and activities that will ensure your book club meetings have direction:
1. Character Analysis
Encourage students to dive deep into the characters' lives, motivations, and relationships. Discuss how characters change and grow throughout the book. Ask questions like "How does the protagonist's journey inspire you?" or "Which character would you like to be friends with, and why?"
2. Theme Exploration
Explore the themes presented in the book and their relevance to the students' lives. Discuss topics like friendship, family, identity, or overcoming challenges. Encourage students to share personal experiences that relate to the themes and how they can apply the lessons learned in their own lives.
3. Book-related Activities
Organize book-related activities to enhance the students' understanding and enjoyment of the book. This could include creating artwork inspired by the book, acting out scenes, or even cooking a dish mentioned in the story. These activities will make the book come alive and create a deeper connection between the students and the story.
Tips for Running a Successful Book Club
Running a successful book club for middle schoolers does require planning and organization. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and enriching experience for your students:
1. Choose age-appropriate books
Selecting books that are suitable for middle schoolers is crucial. Look for diverse books that address relevant themes and feature relatable characters. Consider group reading levels and interests to set each book club group up for success.
2. Create a welcoming environment
It’s important that every student is given the chance to feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. Set clear guidelines for participation, behavior, and how to respond to different opinions respectfully. To ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the club, consider providing the option for written responses or reflection to questions for those students who are shy, or for those that need more processing time to develop their thoughts and feelings. These can be shared in a way that makes every student feel comfortable.
3. Plan engaging activities
Book clubs should go beyond just discussing the book. Plan interactive activities that enhance the reading experience. These can include role-playing, creative writing exercises, or even organizing a book-themed event or field trip. Engaging activities will make the book club meetings more memorable and enjoyable for the students.
And, if you have a book club reading The Ice House, let me know! I’m always happy to do a 20 minute virtual FAQ with a group of students!
The Ice House: A Perfect Choice for Middle School Book Clubs
Now, let's turn our attention to The Ice House, my middle grade novel that is perfect for book clubs, if I do say so myself (and is available for preorder in paperback now!). The book explores themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery.
From a strictly practical perspective, it’s a great book club choice because it was printed with a book club guide in the back, which makes prepping questions much easier for facilitators!
The Ice House presents young readers with relatable characters and thought-provoking themes: friendship, grief, family dynamics, and the importance of embracing change. The book's relatable characters and engaging plot will captivate middle schoolers' imaginations and spark meaningful discussions.
It also encourages kids to think critically and analyze the choices made by the characters. Because the book takes place during a never ending snow storm, there are aspects about the book that will resonate with kids who experienced virtual learning and quarantine.
It prompts students to reflect on their own experiences and consider how they would handle similar situations. By engaging in discussions about the book, students develop their critical thinking skills, empathy, and understanding of complex emotions.
Themes and Topics Explored in The Ice House
The Ice House touches upon several important themes and topics that resonate with middle schoolers. Some of these include:
1. Friendship and Belonging
The book explores the challenges of shifting dynamics between friends, navigating feelings around middle school social status, outgrowing friendships, and being unsure of how or where we fit in.
2. Resilience and Overcoming Challenges
Louisa, the protagonist, showcases the power of resilience and hope in the face of uncertainty. Students can reflect on their own challenges and discuss strategies for overcoming obstacles and the importance of hope.
3. Normalizing Grief and Loss
Louisa and Luke’s experiences navigating grief in their own families offer a backdrop for students to reflect on their own family dynamics, how they feel about loss in their own lives, and the concept of grief and its impact on a family. While some may feel that this would be a heavy topic to discuss in a book club, these themes are there for readers that have experienced loss to feel less alone. Readers can see that even though grief and loss are often not discussed openly, they are not alone.
Discussion Questions for The Ice House
The Ice House actually includes a book club guide at the end! But, to kickstart meaningful discussions about The Ice House, here are some thought-provoking questions to explore with your book club:
How does the ice house symbolize change?
Discuss the different types of friendships portrayed in the book. Which friendship resonated with you the most, and why?
How does Louisa’s journey relate to your own experiences? How about Luke’s?
The book explores the theme of resilience. Can you think of a time when you demonstrated resilience in your own life? How did it impact you?
What lessons can we learn from The Ice House about the importance of embracing change and stepping out of our comfort zones?
Other Recommended Book Club Books for Middle Schoolers
In addition to The Ice House, there are countless other captivating reads that are perfect for middle school book clubs. Here are a few recommendations:
The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller
Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango
The Giver by Lois Lowry (Have to throw in a few favorites from my own childhood library book club!)
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
These books offer rich storytelling, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes that will engage and empower young minds.
So, gather your students, choose exciting books, and start your own book club adventure.
